Cartier Island Marine Park

Cartier Island Marine Park is located about 45 kilometres south-east of Ashmore Reef, surrounding an unvegetated, uninhabited sandy cay and reef island in the Timor Sea. Cartier Island Marine Park includes a small submerged pinnacle (Wave Governor Bank) and two shallow pools in the northeast. Much like Ashmore Reef Marine Park, this biodiversity hotspot attracts huge schools of pelagic fish, whales, dolphins, turtles and dugongs, as well as an unusually high diversity of seasnakes.

Video

Wave Governor Bank is a small submerged pinnacle that sits within the Cartier Island Marine Park. This BRUVS video shows some of the species that are attracted to this prominent geomorphological feature, including trevally and paddle-tail snapper.

Research

These short articles highlight the findings from ongoing scientific research within the Cartier Island Marine Park, including exciting new discoveries and ideas for future projects.

Find out where 13 marine species have been observed in the Marine Parks of the N and NW networks.

Natural values

Our marine parks have a number of different values, including natural, cultural, heritage and socio-economic values. The natural values of our marine parks refer to the habitats, species and ecological communities within them, and the processes that support their connectivity, productivity and function. Below are the key datasets that help inform park managers about the natural values that exist within our network of Australian Marine Parks. For more information on other park values refer to the relevant park Management Plans on the Parks Australia website.

See which wetlands of international significance are protected by Australian Marine Parks.

Maps

The information provided by these datasets was integral in the planning and development of our national network of marine parks. Learn in detail about how scientists and marine park planners used these important marine features together to design Australia's network of marine parks, or explore the datasets for the Cartier Island Marine Park individually through the links below.

See which areas of Australia's marine environments have been World Heritage listed.

Latest maps

Since the initial planning of the Australian Marine Parks Network in 2012, new mapping data has emerged that allows us to see in finer detail the features that exist within our parks. These datasets help marine managers to understand more about what's under the surface, where there are overlaying management or protection regimes, and/or where pressures on the marine environment may be increasing.